"I'm...uh...afraid I might still slow us down a bit. Or, rather, perhaps I should say I'd appreciate it if we went slowly back to town. I'm not moving well after that..."
"I'm not feeling at the top of my game myself," Shaserai commiserates. "Let me retrieve my healer's kit, and I'll see if there's anything I can do to make you a little more steady on your feet." The elf removes a nasal aspirator from his backpack to clear Jonagher's nose and throat of any remaining acrid ooze.
"Ahhhh...wow...yeah...that's amazing..." Jonagher compliments Shaserai on his skills, "I can breathe a lot easier now. Thanks. I'm even starting to get a little more feeling back in my hands. Should be able to draw a bow with no problem. So, we can head back to town whenever we're all ready."
Highness picked up the battle axe again from the floor and slung it over his shoulder.
"Let's just go to town. The quicker we get our visit over, the sooner we can get back." Highness interjected, obviously anxious.
Ragnhild leads the way back to the Bumblebrashers to collect their prisoner and asks if any of the goblins want to come back to town with them. "If we're going to be neighbors, we need to be friendly, and to be friendly, we need to have an open dialogue. Warbal, have you ever been to a human settlement?"
Warbal puts her fingers nervously into her wide mouth and sucks on them. "No, I never," she replies anxiously. "Helba said we must hide or the longshanks wouldn't let us stay here in their old castle. Would ... would there be ... dogs and horses?"
"Hiding in here isn't going to make anyone happy." Ragna tells Warbal. "You do have a right to privacy, but people are going to worry about the nearby goblins who've locked their gates and refuse to ever talk to any passers-by. Besides, it's better to work together than to try and go it alone. There are dogs and horses and stupid people, but you don't need to be afraid of them. Especially if I'm with you." She leans down so she's closer to Warbal's height. "Nobody messes with me or my friends. They know better."
"Yeah..." Jonagher drily comments at Ragna's words to the tiny goblin, "Nothing's messed with us the whole time we've been here at the citadel. Unless you count those monkeymen and frogmen, the dragon-lizards, a murderous bugbear, that weird soldier doll, the big talking wolf, the undead skeletons in the jail, the demon we unwittingly set loose, that swamp turtle thing we saw on the way in, and of course that invisible gelatin-ooze creature that almost burned off all my skin. You know, normal, easy, routine stuff..."
"Those things are all dead now because they didn't know not to mess with me. The people in Breachill are still alive because they do."
Marshalling all her courage, Warbal wags her head in the affirmative, the tips of her ears swishing with the intensity. "I will go," she says as firmly as she can.
"Oh, wonderful!" Ranghild grins and resists hugging the tiny bean of a goblin. "I just know Breachill and the Bumblebrashers will have a good relationship, especially with you as an ambassador, Warbal. Well, gather up anything you'll need in case we end up staying in Breachill for a day or two. We'll take this miserable halfling with us as well so you won't have to worry about him."
A sullen Calmont is retrieved from the holding cell to join the party and Warbal on their way back to Breachill.
Highness moved over and clapped Warbal on the back. "It will be a grand adventure! Who knows what we will find." he said emphatically.
"There may be shiny axes! Shiny floating hands!" he said, emphasizing his point with a floating hand on a chain holding a battle axe.
"Glass...." Highness finished, losing his train of thought, his eyes glazed over.
"Or...if Ragna has her way...dragons!" Jonagher chimes in, "Not in Breachill, of course. Just at some point in our grand adventure, she hopes to slay a dragon. Unassisted." The half-elf lets that sink in for the poor goblin as he presses past and takes charge of watching over Calmont so the slippery halfling doesn't start making any escape plans. "Shall we be off then?" he asks merrily.
The party heads back toward Breachill, prodding a grumbling Calmont. "You have no right to treat me like a criminal," he protests. "I haven't done anything wrong, just went looking for treasure. I'm a victim here!"
"You went looking for treasure when you knew trouble was about and you disappeared from Breachill at a suspicious time. The town council can decide what to do with you, but you're not gonna be creeping around Hellknight Hill while we're trying to work, especially not with the Bumblebrashers there." Ragnhild growls at Calmont, but she beams at Warbal. "I know you're going to like Breachill."
"We should speak with Voz Lirayne about the halfling's claims while we're in town," Ren reminds the group. "If her research has uncovered anything about Alseta's Ring, that information could prove to be invaluable."
"I met Voz at the Call for Heroes," Jonagher responds, "I believe she said she owned a bookshop or something. Is that right, Calmont?" He waits for the halfling to reply and then continues. "Maybe you can take care of things in town for us, Ren? Check on Voz. Present Calmont to the council. The rest of us can resupply, introduce Warbal, and then head back to the citadel to finish our mission."
As Highness moved further away from the fortress and closer to the town, his demeanor changed. It was similar to seeing a flower fold in its petals at the end of the day, guarding its innards. Highness went from skipping back and forth among the group and climbing trees along the road before jumping off branches to land back with the part to a measured stalking walk alongside Ragnhild.
His crown was adjusted and straight, his purple wrappings were adjusted and he held himself like a tightly coiled spring, energy buzzing and burning behind the outwardly restrained mien, unstable at best.
"I have not met this Council yet. I thing that I should introduce myself to them, so they know both my claim and know to respect the Brumblebrashers claim to the Citadel." Highness mused in his high-pitched voice.
"Jonagher, I would like you to introduce us both, if you please."
"Jonagher, I would like you to introduce us both, if you please."
"Me?! Why me?" Jonagher looks perplexed even as his brain begins to imagine any number of amusing ways to introduce the would-be goblin king...most of which would probably spur Highness to threaten him again.
"Oh, this should go well," Alak mutters. "Look, why don't we spend the night in Breachill and head back to the citadel first thing in the morning? That will give everyone time to do whatever they need to do in town."
"I'm fine with that. But, we do need Ren to turn over Calmont, and maybe he could arrange for Warbal to meet the council while giving them an update on what we've found and learned about the citadel? Before heading back, I'd also like to visit Voz's bookshop just to see if she's around."
"Jonagher, I would like you to introduce us both, if you please.""Me?! Why me?" Jonagher looks perplexed even as his brain begins to imagine any number of amusing ways to introduce the would-be goblin king...most of which would probably spur Highness to threaten him again.
Highness swung around to glare at Jonagher, his red eyes slits. "Because I know two things: first that you know I want to be introduced the right way, not referred to as cute, or have you attempt to hug me; and second, you know that when I say that I will put dead rats in your pack and boots for a month if you don't do it properly, that I mean it." he finished turning away.
"Besides, I asked politely." he said, nearly under his breath as he stalked ahead.
As the would-be goblin king grows more staid and regal, Warbal seems to grow more nervous and timid as the party approaches the human town. By the time the north gate comes in sight, her ears are dangling low as she sticks close to Ragna.
Taking a break during a lull in business at the Wizard's Grace, the young barkeep Darla Uskwold takes a brisk walk to the north gate to ask if there's been any sign of either of the adventuring parties who answered this month's Call for Heroes. She's anxious about their well-being and, truth be told, regretful that she didn't tag along with one of the parties. The fledgling bard is chatting with the guard Dalvyn when travelers appear in the distance.
That doesn't look like Neven's company.... Wait--is that Alak and the new heroes...and are those goblins traveling with them??!!
At the north gate, a redheaded woman is standing talking with the guard on duty. Ragna and Jonagher recognize her as Trinil Uskwold's daughter who tends bar at the Wizard's Grace. She earned her recognition as a Hero a month ago as a member of Neven Deckard's group which dealt with a pack of wolves preying on local livestock.
Ragnhild grasps Warbal's hand and practically hauls her off to meet Darla. "Darla, look look look!" Beaming, Ragna releases Warbal's hand and nudges her towards the redhead.
Darla looks. She even manages a smile. "You must be one of the Bumblebrashers. Welcome to Breachill!"
Her smile falters as she spies Calmont. The young woman acknowledges Ragnhild, Jonagher, and the rest of the party with a quick nod but addresses her next questions to the outsider, Alak. "Was your mission a success? Did you recover your family ring?"
"I have never seen a citadel so full of everything that is not a ring," Alak complains. "Goblins, monkey-men, frog-men, a gelatinous cube.... oh, and that fellow." He nods at the sullen halfling. "We decided to bring him back for the town to deal with before going back to finish the search."
"There's no law against treasure-hunting in an old ruin," Calmont insists stubbornly. "They just want me out of the way so they can keep all the profits for themselves!"
Darla looks. She even manages a smile. "You must be one of the Bumblebrashers. Welcome to Breachill!"
Warbal manages a squeak of greeting before hiding behind Ragna's legs again, twisting her long fingers.
Highness stalked over to Calmont, the loose ends of his wrappings flapping as he slid in front of the halfling and poked him in the chest with a long fingernail.
"Old ruin it may be, but it is also the home of the Brumblebrashers. Sneaking in and rummaging around in someone's basement, no matter how much of a mess it is, makes you a thief."
"Thieves make for bad neighbors." he said, spinning away from Calmont. "Brumblebrashers have been living in the ruins since the Hellknights abandoned it. They have been good neighbors, taking care of vermin (yum) and not bothering the town." Highness said as he moved next to Warbal and drug her bodily out from behind Ragna.
"Brumblebrashers should be proud of the good job they have been doing, being good neighbors for Breachill!" he said with excitement, almost shaking Warbal bodily as he made his point.
"Yes...well..." Jonagher interjects, "Perhaps we should be telling these things to the council. We need to make an initial report and explain a few unusual happenings at the citadel we've uncovered...some of which, we learned from this miscreant we found snooping around there." He notes Darla and quickly adds, "You're welcome to come along if you'd like. Anyone who's responded to the Call of Heroes before should find this stuff interesting. And, our friend Ren here is planning on staying in town rather than going back with us. In all honesty, we could use another proven hand at the adventuring life, if you're interested..."
"And, our friend Ren here is planning on staying in town rather than going back with us. In all honesty, we could use another proven hand at the adventuring life, if you're interested..."
The Chelaxian wizard nods at Darla. "The halfling claims to have made certain discoveries while snooping into his employer's research. Frankly, it's not at all clear he hasn't misunderstood everything entirely and leapt to unwarranted conclusions, but it seems worth the time to look into the matter."
"Uh...well...I'm flattered you'd ask me to join your party," Darla says. "I'll have to tie up some business and obligations I've got in town beforehand. But first, let me see what I can do to help convene the town council for your report!"
"There wasn't too much damage to the end of town hall where the council meets," the guard says. "You should be able to find them there. Darla, keep an eye on ... uh, everyone," he goes on, glancing at the goblins and the halfling. "The captain would have my badge if I left my post, or I'd go with you."
Highness motions to Darla. "You may lead the way longshanks. To the Council!" he announces, pointing down the road, deeper into the town.
"Most of us are from here, Highness..." Jonagher replies, "So, we can all lead the way. Follow us." He moves forward and walks alongside Darla. "Don't mind him too much," he tells her, "He's more bark than bite...well, most of the time...and sees himself as goblin king of the Bumblebrashers. Warbal over there also represents their tribe back at Citadel Altaerin...though, she's a bit less enthusiastic about coming to town. Speaking of, how's your mother Trinil doing these days? It's been awhile since we left Breachill to look for Alak's ring. Are there any new happenings we might have missed while we were gone?"
Ragnhild again grasps Warbal's hand, tugging her deeper into the settlement. "Let's go introduce you to everyone!"
"Ev... everyone?" Warbal asks, a little dismayed, staring around at the neat homes and businesses and gardens. Curious children stop and gawk openly but without any particular hostility at the goblins as the party progresses.
"The Reliant Book Company -- Voz Lirayne's place of business -- is down that road," Ren nods at the rightward path as they approach the first intersection. "Ought we to stop by before going to the council? Or should I and then meet up with you later? She might speak more freely to a friend alone," he offers.
Darla seems slightly put off when Highness calls her a 'longshank,' but she says nothing in return. To Jonagher she replies, "Well, my mother was briefly questioned in regards to the fire, but that was mostly procedural; everyone knows she'd never do such a thing."
"Well, my mother was briefly questioned in regards to the fire, but that was mostly procedural; everyone knows she'd never do such a thing."
"I can't imagine who would purposefully set such a fire," Jonagher agrees, "A lot of people could have been seriously injured or killed."
"The Reliant Book Company -- Voz Lirayne's place of business -- is down that road," Ren nods at the rightward path as they approach the first intersection. "Ought we to stop by before going to the council? Or should I and then meet up with you later? She might speak more freely to a friend alone," he offers.
"It wouldn't hurt to at least see if she's in..." Jonagher replies, "But Calmont was her assistant, right? So, I think it's best we get him handed over to the council before bringing him along on a visit to Voz. Warbal, too, for that matter. It's best we introduce her...and, ahem, Highness...before checking on Voz's situation. So, if you want to check the bookstore yourself first and then give us whatever insight you've gleaned when we meet up again, I think that's fine, Ren. Just be careful. No getting in over your head if there's something nefarious afoot."
"You shouldn't go alone," Shaserai frowns. "It's a book shop, right? I'll browse while you talk to your friend with some privacy, but if there's trouble, I'll be able to back you up."
The wizard and the priest separate from the group with a wave and a promise to meet the others at the town hall. The rest of the party continues southward, turning toward the west to head for the bridge across Breach Creek that leads to Monument Circle and the heart of Breachill's government.
Warbal's ears perk up and twitch a bit at the tips as the burned middle section of the building comes into view. "That must have been a big fire," she murmurs admiringly.
"Warbal, it doesn't sound like they burnt their big building for fun." Highness admonished as they walked.
WOW. That's pretty good...I wonder how high the flames were? he thought, gazing at the damage.
"No, we didn't," Darla says through slightly clenched teeth. "People were inside at the time and could have been hurt."
"And we did what we could to get everyone out safely." Jonagher squints and shades his eyes with a hand as he looks up at the damaged structure. "It'll be interesting to see if they restore it or just knock it down and build something new. It might help with any lingering trauma if they just start over."
"So, Darla? Where's the council meeting nowadays?"
Ragnhild shrugs. "Eh, it was ok as far as fires go, I guess. I've seen much more impressive forest fires."
Darla stops walking to give Jonagher's question its proper consideration.
"Well, there hasn't been a council since the last Call for Heroes," the bard replies. "Perhaps they'll hold the next few at my mother's tavern. If not, Mother likely knows or can guess where they might be held going forward."
Darla directs the party around to the undamaged wing of the hall where the council members have their offices. Four desks are arranged in the corners of the main office, but one of them draws the party's intention immediately, as its sides and back are daubed with riotously colorful if inexpert paintings of flowers and butterflies.
"Oh, hello!" Trini Sprizzlegig greets them cheerfully, crawling out from underneath the decorated desk as the group enters. "Did you find the ring?"
After healing Ragnhild a bit, Darla walks with her fellow Breachill native quietly. Eventually, her curiosity gets the best of her. "I once heard a caravan guard mention a gelatinous cube while working at my mom's tavern...though I thought he was making it up," she admits. "But monkey-men? In Isger? Really? Never heard of anything like that."
"They came from some portal under the citadel somewhere. It was my idea that there was a passage to another part of the world with all the strange creatures we found there, and I guess that's turned out to be the case. Elves made it, I dunno." Ragnhild shrugs and waves a dismissive hand, not seeming to think such a thing was all that strange. "Lots of good big game to be had: dracolizards and giant turtles and big colorful ostrich things. Some people were greedy and killed more than their share." She shoots Jonagher a glare. "But I'll get mine when we go back. Thanks for the healing, by the way."
~~~~
"Hello, Trini. We haven't found the ring yet, the whole thing's gotten strange and complicated. We're back to rest and resupply and thought we should meet with the council while we're here. There might be some large, exotic predators wandering around the countryside, among other things."